Singapore's most widely used business structure and the right choice for most founders and foreign investors. A separate legal entity under the Companies Act, giving full liability protection and 100% foreign ownership.
Limited liability for all shareholders
100% foreign ownership permitted
Minimum one shareholder and one director
At least one director must be ordinarily resident in Singapore
Minimum paid-up capital of S$1
Registered office address in Singapore required
Corporate tax at a flat 17%
Eligible for the start-up tax exemption in the first three years of assessment (IRAS).
The simplest business structure in Singapore, owned and run by a single individual. The business and its owner are treated as one legal entity, so there is no separation between personal and business assets, which means the owner carries unlimited liability for all debts and obligations.
Owned by one person, who has full control and bears unlimited personal liability for the business's debts
Open to both Singapore locals and foreigners, subject to meeting the relevant eligibility requirements
If the owner resides outside Singapore, a locally resident authorised representative must be appointed
A business run by at least two partners in Singapore. A partnership is not a separate legal entity from its partners. This means all partners carry unlimited personal liability for the business's debts and losses, including those caused by other partners.
Not a separate legal entity from its partners, so it cannot sue, be sued, or own property in its own name
All partners have unlimited liability and are personally responsible for the partnership's debts, including those caused by other partners
Registration must be renewed every one or three years to keep the business active
If all partners live overseas, the partnership must appoint at least one locally resident authorised representative
An extension of your foreign parent company in Singapore. Not a separate legal entity, the parent retains full liability for all obligations the branch incurs here.
Parent company fully liable for branch obligations
Can conduct the same activities as the parent
Must appoint at least one ordinarily resident authorised representative
Subject to ACRA annual filing requirements
Does not qualify for new company tax exemptions
A non-trading presence for foreign companies exploring the Singapore market before committing to incorporation.
No commercial or revenue-generating activities permitted
Registered with Enterprise Singapore, not ACRA
Approved for a maximum of three years; not renewable
No separate legal identity, parent company remains fully liable
One of the most popular ways for foreign companies to establish a presence in Singapore. It is a separate Singapore company, usually owned by a parent or foreign company. Often set up as a Pte Ltd, a subsidiary stands apart from its parent as its own legal entity.
Liability is limited to the subsidiary's own assets, giving the parent company strong protection while running full commercial operations in Singapore.
A subsidiary is a separate legal entity from its parent company. It can sue, be sued, and own property in its own name.
Shareholders enjoy limited liability, so they are not personally responsible for the company's debts and losses beyond their investment.
Same setup requirements as a Pte Ltd company
